A Ban And a Resolution
Free to Read. Free to Subscribe. Free to Explore—for Every Age!
After Facebook restricted me due to an offensive comment, I decided to explore what I was missing after posting Monday through Saturday for five months. And guess what? It wasn’t much.
When my analytics started tanking, I looked at sales from social media. I knew what I already knew. My evergreen books are still selling, and all the books I promoted heavily (or advertised) on social media—well, they don’t do enough to warrant the time spent on reels, etc. To top it off, most social media now wants to charge businesses for better metrics—even after they banned me.
I took a couple of weeks off for the holidays, and I’m glad I did. My New Year’s resolutions are to read more (especially Indies) and restrict my social media time. But, no worries. I’ll see you on the feed, but not every day.
I want to spend more time writing and less time making reels. I’ve got a new kid’s book launching soon and starting a new historical fiction book where an old west legend meets the new green frontier.
See you in the pages!
NOVEL and NonFICTION NEWS
The Crimson Bodice Launches
FREE REVIEW PAPERBACK COPIES of The Crimson Bodice are still available for a couple of review readers (U.S. addresses only). A short, honest review is all I ask. Interested? Email me at: dore.ripley@gmail.com.
For independent authors, word of mouth is everything, and in today’s digital world, that means book reviews. Thank you so much for helping independent authors thrive!
Brand New Freebie Courtesy of BookFunnel
A brand new FREE magazine for subscribers!
A $9.99 value, you can get a .pdf copy of Armor: A Picture Book for All Ages FREE this month! Just download and print. Check it out at RipleyOnline.com
Armor lets readers discover the metal protection worn by early soldiers, from Greek warriors to Renaissance knights. Spanning the 12th century BCE to the 17th century CE, this book looks at how men fought for honor and glory. While the metals evolved, the core pieces remained consistent as craftsmanship advanced from plain, primitively decorated bronze to richly engraved, breathtaking works by master artisans.
It’s also great for teachers looking to add some context to history and literary works from the early Greeks to the Renaissance. Best of all, it’s FREE this month.
BOOK NEWS
Journals from Everwhen Press
If this year’s New Year’s Resolution involves reading more books, check out a variety of reader book logs over at Everwhen Press. Each contains 100 entry pages. Best of all, they’re all under $8.
Sales Promos Courtesy of Book Funnel
Awakened Heroes Sci-Fi & Fantasy Adventures Book Sales is hosting Keepers of the Oracle at the reduced price of $11.99 (regularly $14.99) for the paperback and $2.99 for the eBook (regularly $4.99). Runs from January 1 to 31, 2026.
Still not sure? Check out the description below:
When the Gods fade who will stand?
In Keepers of the Oracle, Athena faces isolation in a contemporary world where skepticism has supplanted faith, and the once-mighty gods are on the verge of obscurity. Mortals, unaware of the forces they’ve unleashed, entangle the ancient deities in a perilous confrontation with a lurking evil older than time.
Jump Back in Time with Intriguing Historical Fiction will be featuring the newly launched Crimson Bodice at the sales price of $11.99 (regularly $14.99) for the paperback and $2.99 for the ebook (regularly $4.99). Runs from January 1 to 31, 2026.
Need a little nudge? Check out the description below for The Crimson Bodice:
One traitorous play. One treacherous bodice. One stitcher in between.
London is bustling in 1598 when Ketren Pryce arrives filled with fashionable dreams. After saving an apprentice who favors gowns over britches, she earns a place as a stitcher in the city’s greatest acting company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. But her idyllic situation unravels when she finds a blackmailer’s plot sewn into a crimson bodice, leading to courtly intrigue she must resolve to thwart a lunatic’s doom.
Real Reader Reviews
“Ripley Sews Together Espionage and Drama into a tempting tale you won’t be able to put down.” The Crimson Bodice
“Reminiscent of the old school detective whodunnit, this book fails to fall into any dull or lagging spots. I would recommend giving this book a go!" The Playhouse Mysteries
"Remarkable novel that transcends the boundaries of traditional fantasy - captivating!” Keepers of the Oracle
Author Shows
Come check out my books. I’d love to see you! Always FREE gifts
Sunday, April, 19, 2026 - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sacramento Book Festival
Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H Street, East Sacrameento, CA. Admission: FREE
You can follow me on social media (LOL) at Facebook, Instagram, Substack, LinkedIn, TikTok, or X@DoreRipley. Or just email me at: dore.ripley@gmail.com
Disclaimer: While I may have gleaned some wisdom from my journey (and have made a fair share of dubious decisions), I claim no mastery of the publishing arts. These musings are but my own. Tread this path at your peril, for no advice here bears legal weight, even if it sparkles with conviction. Newsletter delivery dates: the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Oh, and fellow wordweavers and readers, if you ever want to contact me, please hit reply or head over to my website at: www.RipleyOnline.com —I’d love to hear from you.